So while the Patriots kept the door open for Blount’s return by placing the “May 9 free-agent tender” on him, the move was less about ensuring Blount being part of the team’s roster and more about protecting their compensatory draft picks while potentially directing him outside of the AFC.

According to OvertheCap.com, the Patriots can currently expect fourth- and fifth-round compensatory draft picks.

After May 9, Blount wouldn’t have counted in the Patriots’ favor with compensatory picks if the team had not placed the tender on him. The tender preserved those picks as things currently stand, and could potentially improve them depending on how things unfold this season in the complex compensatory-pick formula.

Meanwhile, perhaps just as importantly to the Patriots, Blount is moving outside the AFC where he is less of a threat to them.